I’ll be there tomorrow and I was there for 6 years dutifully teaching would-be nursing and pre-med students aseptic technique. I’m amazed those groups organized this.

Very protestant area. I went to some YEC thing the local “christ ambassadors” hosted. I had to walk out, I couldn’t even manage to sit through it long enough to ask real questions. All the ridiculous things we’ve all seen from fake fossils to changing radioactive decay rates…well it was plain that real questions wouldn’t get real answers…you’ll be in the same room that was held.

I recommend the Big Apple Cafe for lunch/dinner.

I might have to drive down for that. Maybe see if the local student xtian groups are going kerfuffle over it.

Oh, oh, oh, but the conflict between science and religion isn’t inescapable — because some religions are fine with science! God inspires the study of Nature and He worked through evolution! They harmonize beautifully! You’re just thinking of fundamentalism — but not all religions are like that. Really. There are religious scientists, even.

I bet you haven’t anticipated THAT objection, which will surely render you speechless when it’s brought to your attention during Q & A. Better try to cobble together some quick dodge around that one beforehand, lest you be taken unaware and left sputtering and helpless.

I see a problem in the discussion, and it is perhaps a telling one. Science can be defined, religion can’t.

When you are talking about “science” you can say it is systematic study, or any of similar terms. There isn’t one clear definition, but there aren’t multiple conflicting sciences. There are different branches of science, yes, but they aren’t in conflict. There are some odd fringes of science, but they can be studied scientifically.

In short, science is science. But what is religion?

And what of all the various “religions” around the world are really religions, and what are not? Is it the ones with belief in and worship of a supernatural being? Is it about faith? Faith in what? What is faith? Or is religion just a term for worldview? And how can we keep religious folks from switching definition in mid-argument?

Or is religion just a term for worldview? And how can we keep religious folks from switching definition in mid-argument?

I agree; this is a major problem. I’m beginning to think that the best way to keep religious folks from switching the definition of ‘religion’ in mid-argument is to keep repeating, over and over, “You’re switching the definition of ‘religion’ in mid-argument AGAIN.”

Holy fucking shit! That just cheered me up! The Misfits told me you might be coming. MSU has had some weirdness, from flocking fundies preforming faux crucifixions and screaming preachers telling co-eds that wearing shorts is asking to be raped, to a professor who thinks aliens built the pyramids. I’m going to do all the things in order to try to make it! Making plans to ship off the kids now! See you next weekend.

Michael, Christ Ambassadors were known as Chi Alpha back in my day. They were very creepy (as in would tell you stories of hearing angel’s wings in their rooms at night and staging crucifixion “mock ups”)and their leader (Mark something?) was known to send parents of students letters saying he was the official campus chaplain, though no such thing existed. He was also kicked out of a certain now closed dorm a few times for sneaking in and lingering around the halls. The group has grown over the years. They will certainly send representatives to this event. Should be a hoot.
The Big Apple Cafe is a local tradition. Can’t skip that.

Looking forward to meeting you! Murray has actually grown up just a bit in the last 20+ years. This summer we voted to move from “moist” to “wet” despite the opposition of preachers and their fundie followers.

For the benefit of Mr. Kite and the ones that couldn’t make it, I uploaded two hours of goodness. The first hour is the presentation and an additional hour of questions and answers. It was an awesome presentation. Thank you for coming to KY and thank you to the MSU Student Organization for Reason and Science and MSU Freethinkers for sponsoring the event. Check it out: http://www.ateorizar.com/2012/10/pz-myers-inescapable-conflict-between.html